He’s always a good boy, and I give him the “thumbs up” and a big smile many times a day. I’m so grateful that I taught him that alternative to ”Yes!” because, basically, in my eyes, he can’t do anything “wrong” anymore. I’ve long used a “thumbs up” gesture as an alternative to a click or “Yes!” to mark the moment he does a behavior I’ve cued or, to be honest, anything else that I like. He didn’t DO anything, he just gets treats for showing up when the other dogs are asked to do stuff. At Industrial Forklift Truck, we help you compare new and used equipment from local dealers.Otto’s “Where’s my treat?” expression. Errors involving ignored or misunderstood forklift hand signals commonly lead to damage, which may require you to purchase replacements. Hand signals protect your inventory, your workers, and the machinery. Finally, forklift operators should follow the hand signals correctly and not take any unnecessary risks. It’s also good for forklift operators and spotters to practice the signs to ensure effective communication. Spotters should review the signals regularly and know what each one means. These are helpful devices for communication, but workers should never become so reliant on these tools that they forget or ignore the OSHA-approved hand signals.īefore operating forklifts, employees must have training on hand signals. Some workers might feel they do not need to know the hand signals because they have other communication devices. How To Get Spotters To Use Forklift Hand Signals Lower your arm, bringing your thumb closer to your side, until the mass is at the correct tilt.
Tilt the Mass BackwardĮxtend your right arm outward with your thumb pointed downward. Continue to bend your arm inward, bringing your thumb closer to your head, until the mass is at the correct tilt. Then, bend your elbows and point your thumb in the air. Tilt the Mass ForwardĮxtend your right arm outward. Move your hand in a circular motion until the tines reach the correct height. Then, bend your elbows and extend your pointing finger into the air. Raise the TinesĮxtend your right arm outward. Gradually lower your arm, bringing it closer to your side, until the tines are as low as you desire. Lower the TinesĮxtend your right arm straight outward with your palm facing the ground. This is the most important of all forklift hand signals. It signals to the forklift operator that they need to stop operations immediately. Emergency StopĮxtend both arms outward with your palms facing downward. Common reasons include someone walking by or an incoming phone call from the floor manager. This signals to the operator that they need to pause operations. Dog EverythingĬlasp your hands together at the waist. However, all workers on site should know the emergency stop, even workers who do not usually work in the warehouse. Spotters need to know all seven hand signals to direct operators safely.
Telling forklift operators which way to turn.Letting operators know when it is safe to move forward or backward.
These hand signals improve safety on the job. Keeping all workers on the same page also reduces confusion and the risk of dangerous incidents. Established hand signals ensure safety in the workplace. Spotters often need to help direct operators as the forklift moves loads or stacks and removes items. Workers use forklift hand signals to communicate in busy and noisy environments.